Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit at its lower end that provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

Abstract: A reagent kit is provided comprising a plurality of containers with top-side openings, a common support structure or a plurality of support structures associated to the containers, and a plurality of caps. Each container and cap is mountable or provided on the common or the associated support structure, wherein each cap is formed essentially rectangular, having two shorter edges and two longer edges, and comprises: a cap body, a lid hinged to the cap body so to pivot around a pivot axis at least between closed and opened positions, the pivot axis being essentially parallel to the shorter edges. The containers and associated caps are arranged in a row along a connecting line such that the pivot axes are orthogonal to the connecting line. For at least one of the containers, an end portion of the cap body opposite to the pivot axis is not covered by the lid.

Abstract: A liquid container with an upper opening and a tube-shaped withdrawal chimney is disclosed. The withdrawal chimney extends into the container through the upper opening which has a liquid-permeable zone in the form of a finely-porous flow resistance element in its lower end region such that liquid exchange can take place between the withdrawal chimney and the container inner space which surrounds it via the flow resistance element. A venting groove formed by a radial recess of the casing wall of the withdrawal chimney in its upper region may be provided to ensure adequate venting of the space above the liquid level.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit at its lower end that provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a process for producing a reagent container assembly made of plastic and a reagent container assembly are disclosed. The process may comprise: assembling a group of particular reagent containers, and joining the reagent containers to form the reagent container assembly where at least two of the reagent containers are permanently joined together by at least one welding process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a group of reagent carriers that is combined to form a composite, each one of said carriers having at least one test region located in a shallow trough-like depression, where the reagent carriers in the composite are held together exclusively by interconnected protective covers for the test regions.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid the which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit that the at its lower end provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

Abstract: A reagent container system for a reagent analyzer, in particular an automatic reagent analyzer, is disclosed. The system includes a first reagent container cassette provided with a first set of openings each being capable of containing a reagent therein, and a second reagent container cassette provided with a second set of openings each being capable of containing a reagent therein. The system provides the first and second reagent container cassettes at least in a storage configuration in which the container cassettes are joined together such that a longitudinal side of the first reagent container cassette is facing a longitudinal side of the second reagent container cassette. Wherein, by relative displacement, the first and second reagent container cassettes are displaceable between the storage configuration and a use configuration in which a transverse side of the first reagent container cassette is facing a transverse side of the second reagent container cassette.

Abstract: A reagent container carrier structure for holding at least one reagent container, wherein the carrier structure has thereon an RFID assembly and an optically detectable definition pattern defining an orientation of the carrier structure, is disclosed. The reagent container carrier structure may have an orientation identification label that has a front surface and a back surface, and further include an RFID assembly positioned on the back surface, and an optically detectable definition pattern defining an orientation of the label on the front surface. A reader module for reading RFID data in combination with optically detectable data defining an orientation of a respective label is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer is disclosed that dispenses a sample and a reagent into each of a plurality of reaction vessels to allow them to react with each other, and that measures the liquid formed as a result of the reaction. This automatic analyzer includes a first reagent storage case for storing the reagent to be used for the reaction, a second reagent storage case for storing the reagent for supplemental purpose, and a reagent conveying unit for conveying the reagent from the second reagent storage case to the first reagent storage case.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.

Abstract: A liquid container with an upper opening and a tube-shaped withdrawal chimney is disclosed. The withdrawal chimney extends into the container through the upper opening which has a liquid-permeable zone in the form of a finely-porous flow resistance element in its lower end region such that liquid exchange can take place between the withdrawal chimney and the container inner space which surrounds it via the flow resistance element. A venting groove formed by a radial recess of the casing wall of the withdrawal chimney in its upper region may be provided to ensure adequate venting of the space above the liquid level.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid the which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit that the at its lower end provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.